Carroll Indoor Track and Field Hoping for Big Finishes at Nationals

The Carroll Saints indoor track and field team will send four men and 15 women to nationals. Red shirting has the men's numbers down, but for the nationally sixth ranked women's team, they are hoping there's strength in numbers.

"It's really awesome to have this big of the girls team going to nationals because we're all going to be there to support each other, which is huge," said Saints freshman runner Hannah Porch. "And hopefully we'll be able to build momentum off of each other."

This is year four for the Saints program, meaning that the Saints are bringing plenty of experience, including a pair of four time national qualifiers.

"Our girls this year are going to be a lot more confident going into their events, especially in the finals," said Saints sophomore runner Marisa Sanchez. "We're ready, we're expected to make it into finals, and we're just looking forward."

That experience for their older girls should come in handy with such a young group, with eight of the 15 women going to nationals being underclassmen.

"They're doing a great job mentoring these freshmen," said Saints head coach Harry Clark. "All these freshman aren't running like freshmen, they're actually running like college athletes. That's why your women are ranked #6 in the country right now."

"For me it's my first year going out there, and it's really awesome to have those older girls to be able to look up to," said Porch. "If you have any questions they're there for you, they're there to support you. I have really good teammates."

On the men's side, this year's nationals is about more than a place on a podium, it's about honoring their teammate Dawson Solly, who recently passed away.

"There's a lot of love for Dawson and his family," said Saints junior shot put thrower Beaugh Meyer. "The way that we've decided to Dawson and his family, and carry Dawson on with us, we've decided to put his names on our wrists on our tape to make sure that he's with us in spirit."

Both the Saints men and women feel that all 19 athletes should place at nationals, where they'll use their team's strength to put up numbers.

Sayeed Pridgett hit two free throws with a second left to lift Montana to its second straight victory in the Islands of the Bahamas Showcase tournament in Nassau, a 73-71 win over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday.

Sayeed Pridgett hit two free throws with a second left to lift Montana to its second straight victory in the Islands of the Bahamas Showcase tournament in Nassau, a 73-71 win over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday.